By Scott Huff
There were some good football games played by Suburban One League teams last week that were not in the glare of the PIAA District One Playoffs.
Congratulations go out the Truman Tigers who took a two-hour plus bus ride to the Lehigh Valley to play Stroudsburg. And Truman (2-9) made the lengthy ride worth it with a 15-14 victory over the host Mounties (4-7).
“Things went pretty well for us,” said Truman coach Van Smith said. “We made some big plays, and Tom Bremme had an outstanding game.”
Bremme scored on a 10-yard run in the first period and added a two-point conversion to give the Tigers an 8-0 lead. However, Stroudsburg rallied back to take a 14-8 lead and set the stage for more Bremme heroics in the fourth period.
On a fourth and four play from the Mountie nine-yard line with six minutes, 12 seconds left in the game, Bremme caught a scoring pass from Terry Walker. Jordan Thayers kicked what proved to be the game-winning extra point.
“Bremme did a nice job of shifting from running back to tight end,” said Smith. “But his biggest play came late in the game as a defensive player.”
The final Stroudsburg drive was halted when Bremme sacked the quarterback.
The final chapter to Smith’s scholastic coaching career is close to a conclusion. Smith – who has been a head coach on the high school level since 1989 – has resigned as the Tigers coach at the end of the season.
“It’s just time to hang them up,” said Smith. “I have a son that plays football, and I want to have a chance to see him play.
“I will miss the kids and the competition,” added Smith. “Plus I will miss (Neshaminy coach) Mark Schmidt, (Pennsbury coach) Galen Snyder, and (Abington coach) Tim Sorber. They are all fine coaches, and I wish them the best.”
The Tigers’ official last game under the Smith tenure will come on Thanksgiving morning when Truman hosts rival Conwell Egan (7-4). Kickoff will take place at 10 a.m.
“They might have a better record than us, but that really doesn’t matter,” said Smith. “The kids all live in the same neighborhood, and it has always been a great competition.”
Competition is what Smith is all about. In order to keep his Tigers ready for the Egan game, Smith has a spirited scrimmage set up between his seniors and juniors.
“It is a tradition that we have had here since I’ve been here,” said Smith. “The seniors and the juniors draft the sophomores and the freshmen, and we play a game.
“The game is officiated and the players come out in game jerseys,” added Smith. “It is something to keep their interest between the last game and Thanksgiving.”
Good luck to the Tigers on Thanksgiving morning – and good luck to Coach Smith in retirement.
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Congratulations to the Hatboro-Horsham Hatters as the Hatters (5-6) rallied back to defeat host Boyertown, 25-21, last week.
Hatboro-Horsham running back Mike Bobrin scored the game-winning touchdown on a 42-yard run with four minutes and 17 seconds left in the game. Bobrin rushed for a game-high 145 yards on 20 carries and scored a pair of touchdowns.
It is still uncertain as to whether or not this will be the final game of the season for Hatboro-Horsham. The Hatters traditional Thanksgiving morning contest with Upper Moreland is still on hold as the Golden Bears journey through the PIAA Class AAA playoffs.
If Upper Moreland defeats Bayard Rustin this week in the district final – the game with Hatboro-Horsham is off. However, if the Golden Bears were to lose, the game would be played at Upper Moreland at 10 a.m.
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Abington, Pennridge, and Quakertown may all have lost in PIAA Class AAAA District One play, but the trio of schools all has huge rivalry games left on the schedule.
Abington (9-3) – which was jettisoned from the district playoffs in a 42-14 loss to North Penn in the second round of the playoffs – will host Cheltenham (5-6) on Thanksgiving Eve.
Pennridge (6-5) – which was knocked out of the district playoffs in a 21-7 loss to Garnet Valley in the first round of the playoffs – will travel to Quakertown to meet the Panthers.
Quakertown (8-3) – which lost to Ridley 21-0 in the first round of the playoffs – will host Pennridge in the 10:15 kickoff at Alumni Field.
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And there is still a trio of teams still alive in those Prime Time PIAA District One Playoffs.
In the Quad-A playoffs, North Penn advanced to the semis with that 42-10 win over Abington. The unbeaten Knights (12-0) will host Ches-Mont champion Downingtown West (11-1) – a 28-21 winner over Conestoga.
Also in the Quad-A playoffs, Neshaminy (11-1) pounded Ridley 31-3 to advance to its semifinal contest against unbeaten Garnet Valley (12-0). GV edged Pennsbury (9-3) - 14-12 - in its quarterfinal game.
And finally, in the Triple-A playoffs, Upper Moreland (10-1) advanced to the PIAA District One championship game with a convincing 33-14 victory over Owen J Roberts in the semis. The Golden Bears will meet Bayard Rustin (11-1) – a 21-13 winner over Pottsgrove.
Football Fever Forecast
North Penn 42 Downingtown West 13
Neshaminy 34 Garnet Valley 14
Upper Moreland 28 Bayard Rustin 13
SuburbanOneSports.Com’s Top Ten
1. North Penn Knights (12-0)
2. Neshaminy Redskins (11-1)
3. Upper Moreland Golden Bears (10-1)
4. Pennsbury Falcons (9-3)
5. Abington Ghosts (9-3)
6. Quakertown Panthers (8-3)
7. Upper Dublin Cardinals (8-2)
8. Pennridge Rams (6-5)
9. Souderton Indians (5-6)
10. Council Rock South Golden Hawks (6-4)
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